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There Are No ‘Right’ Decisions About School This Year—Please Just Be Kind

In: Motherhood

3 Minute Read

By Whitney Ballard

Boys walking from school building holding hands — Image via Whitney Ballard

Parents are feeling some type of way right now.

If we send our kids to school, we’re “selfish.”

If we keep them home, we’re “living in fear.”

We know our choice will not please everyone—

But we’re trying not to care, and instead just focus on what’s best for our kid.

BUT we’re not even sure what that is.

Because we’re just sooo conflicted.

RELATED: None of Us Know What To Do Right Now and It’s Exhausting

We’ve been trying to enjoy this extra time with our kids.

But our newest thief of joy is uncertainty.

We’re offered strong opinions from others not even in our position.

And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.

Some of us have already decided; for some, it was decided for us.

And some, like me, are sitting right smack dab in the middle of indecision.

The reality is some families will be giving up an income and financial stability.

Some will go to work, whether by choice or mere necessity, and will still be judged harshly.

Some parents will try to balance full-time work from home and distance learning, which seems almost impossible to me.

RELATED: School Looks Iffy in the Fall and I’m Already Grieving

Many have, and will, shed tears and mourn plans when no one is looking.

And then pull it together just as quickly.

There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.

My kids won’t hear the complaint when I push my career aside.

The work-outside-the-home mom’s kids likely won’t see the weight she’s carrying.

The work-from-home dad won’t let anyone know the pressure he’s under.

We KNOW we’d do ANYTHING for our kids, no matter the sacrifice, but we did not sign up for THIS.

RELATED: Dear Kindergarten Mama, I Know Your Heart is Hurting

No one did.

So if you hear a parent voice their choice that’s different than yours . . .

Please do not make them feel worse.

Give them some grace.

Because I can promise you—we parents are already feeling some type of way.

Originally published on Whitney Ballard, Writer

P.S. These times are confusing not just for parents, but for our kids, too. The Coping Skills For Kids Workbook is a great tool for helping them work through their big emotions.

Recommendations in this post contain affiliate links. Her View From Home may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

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back to school be kind decision fatigue decisions give grace Kids Motherhood none of us signed up for this parenting school school closure school reopening

Whitney Ballard

Whitney Ballard is a writer and mom advocate from small town Alabama. She owns the Trains and Tantrums blog, where she writes about motherhood, marriage, mental health, and more. Whitney went from becoming a mom at sixteen to holing a Master’s degree; she writes about that journey, along with daily life, through a Christian lens. When she’s not writing while on her porch swing or cheering/yelling at the ballpark, you’ll find her in the backyard with her husband, two boys, and two dogs.

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There Are No ‘Right’ Decisions About School This Year—Please Just Be Kind

RELATED: None of Us Know What To Do Right Now and It’s Exhausting

And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.

RELATED: School Looks Iffy in the Fall and I’m Already Grieving

There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.

RELATED: Dear Kindergarten Mama, I Know Your Heart is Hurting

Please do not make them feel worse.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Whitney Ballard

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May is Maternal Mental Health Month, and So Many Moms Are Quietly Drowning

The Hard Truth about Friendship in Your 40s

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Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

There Are No ‘Right’ Decisions About School This Year—Please Just Be Kind

And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.

There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.

Please do not make them feel worse.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

I’m Constantly Waiting for the Metaphorical Axe To Fall

The Apology You Deserve May Never Come

To the Little Girl With Pink Flowers on Her Shoes and Courage in Her Heart

Keep Searching for the Perfect Pair of Jeans

Why I Had My Benign Breast Lumps Removed

Repotting Myself: What My One‑Armed Grandpa Taught Me About Growing Anyway

Farewell To the Bus Stop Moms

May is Maternal Mental Health Month, and So Many Moms Are Quietly Drowning

The Hard Truth about Friendship in Your 40s

Sisterhood is So Special

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